2008 was Ireland West Airport's best year ever

Last year was Ireland West Airport Knock's busiest yet with an increase in passenger numbers of 73,000 to 629,000 for the twelve month period, representing a 13% increase over 2007.

The airport predicts that 2009 will be a challenging year but the increase in the number of routes served and additional charter destinations should see a growth of between 1% and 3% for the year ahead.

Growth in 2008 came from new routes to UK with the bmiBaby service to Glasgow and the new daily Ryanair service to Liverpool.

For 2009, new services will be operated by Aer Lingus to Gatwick commencing in April and Thomas Cook will be operating a service to Faro for the summer IT season.

New projects for completion at Knock in 2009 include the commissioning of the new CAT II ILS in February, the completion of a €5.5m expansion to the terminal which will double the existing check in area floor space and later in the year an increase in the ramp area will be completed.